sleepy, lay down and slept all day, and did not wake until Thorbjorn reached the island.  They saw then that the ladder was not drawn up.  Thorbjorn said:  “The situation has changed from what it used to be; there are no men moving about, and the ladder is in its place.  It may be that more will come of our journey than we expected at first.  Now let us go to the hut and not let our courage slacken.  If they are well we may know for certain that there will be need for each to do his very best.”

They went up the ladder, looked round and saw close to the ascent a man lying and snoring aloud.  Thorbjorn recognised Glaum, went up to the rascal and told him to wake up, striking his ear with the hilt of his sword and saying:  “Truly he is in a bad case whose life is entrusted to your keeping.”

Glaum looked up and said:  “They are going on as usual.  Do you think my freedom such a great thing while I am lying here in the cold?”

Angle said:  “Have you lost your wits?  Don’t you see that your enemies are upon you and about to kill you all?”

Glaum said nothing, but on recognising the men cried out as loud as he could.

“Do one thing or the other,” said Angle; “either be silent this moment and tell me all about your household, or be killed.”

Glaum was as silent as if he had been dipped in water.

Thorbjorn said:  “Are the brothers in the hut?  Why are they not about?”

“That would not be so easy,” said Glaum, “for Grettir is sick and nigh to death and Illugi is sitting with him.”

Thorbjorn asked about his condition, and what had happened.  Then Glaum told him all about Grettir’s wound.

Angle laughed and said:  “True is the ancient saying that Old friends are the last to break away, and also this, that It is ill to have a thrall for your friend—­such a one as you, Glaum!  You have shamefully betrayed your liege lord, though there was little good in him.”

Then the others cast reproaches at him for his villainy; they beat him almost helpless and left him lying there.  Then they went on to the hut and knocked violently at the door.

Illugi said:  “Greybelly (1) is knocking at the door, brother.”

“He is knocking rather loud,” said Grettir; “most unmercifully.”  Then the door broke in pieces.  Illugi rushed to his arms and defended the door so that they could not get in.  They assailed it long, but could get nothing in but the points of their spears, all of which Illugi severed from their shafts.  Seeing that they could do nothing, they sprang on to the roof and began to break it in.  Then Grettir got on to his feet, seized a spear and thrust it between the rafters.  It struck Kar, Halldor’s man from Hof, and went right through him.  Angle told them to go to work warily and be careful of themselves.  “We shall only overcome them,” he said, “if we act with caution.”